I want to find some software that will let me shut down internet access to my daughter's bedroom computer between eleven PM and eight AM, so she will get more sleep. Can anyone recommend software that will do this?

Move the router into your bedroom and shut it off at 11 p.m. And, oh yeah, take her cell away so she can’t stay up all night texting as they sometimes do. She can have them back when she gets up in the morning (that ought to encourage her to get up early!) Worked for us.

Another option: change the password on the router so that YOU have to log her on. Then you won’t have to move the router. She can sleep curled up with her laptop if she wants to but she still won’t be able to get online, even through the neighbors’ connections.

Certain Linksys routers will allow you to set access time parameters, but they're only effective if 1) you lock the router down with some passwords known only to you; and 2) your daughter can't get physical access to the router.

If you have Windows Vista or anything newer, there’s parental controls. You can put a password on your account and give her an account and you can control when her account can be accessed and what hours it can’t be accessed. Just click the start on the left hand side of the bottom of the screen and do a search for “parental controls”.

What brand and model of router are you utilizing? The firmware for most routers allows this type of restriction to be set. Log into you router and you’ll be amazed at what you can control (blocking IP’s, time restrictions, etc.).

20
posted on 06/09/2012 6:12:08 PM PDT
by RobertClark
(Be prepared, be polite, be professional and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)

You can put a time limit on the router, but with a little tech know-how from her friends, she could probably learn to by-pass it.

The best bet is to have physical possession of the router in your bedroom during the hours you don’t want her to have it. If her ability to practice self-control is low enough that you need to physically possess the router, I’d suggest getting a hand on her cell phone as well, lest she figures out that she can tether her phone to her computer and you end up with a horrid cell phone bill.

24
posted on 06/09/2012 6:25:47 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(What Islam and secularism have in common is that they are both death cults.)

Most ISPs provide a firewall and most home firewalls allow you to set up a schedule to block certain ports or traffic. I this case, simply block ports 80 and 443 during the times you do not want her to be on the computer.

The second solution is to remove the computer and place it in a PUBLIC location in the house where there is no expectation of privacy.

Third option is to create yourself as the administrator, give her an account on the computer and then use Windows to restict the times that account can be active.

I think that using opendns (at www.opendns.com) as your “DNS” (DNS looks up web site numbers from names) for your router is a great thing that will protect your entire network including wireless devices. It has reasonably good filtering. Their basic version is free and is quite good. They have a paid version that has some additional features. If you do not have a fixed “IP address” (most people do not) then you have to run a little program on one of your computers also unless your router will automatically do it for you — many do.

However, by itself OpenDNS does NOT have time-based controls. However several brands of routers have additional controls that work using OpenDNS, and those DO have time-based controls. I think D-Link is the best of these right now, should be under $100 and is a great router in general:

I like the idea of using the built in parental controls in Windows, also, as another suggested above. If you do that you can still use free OpenDNS and not have to get a new router.

Another thing OpenDNS does: it obscures your internet activities somewhat from your ISP. OpenDNS also has a new encrypted DNS in the works that will be even better when that is fully up. It will fight censorship some. OpenDNS also can block malware and phishing. Most freepers should consider using it when appropriate as part of their online regimen. (Never trust sites 100% however! As much as I like OpenDNS it too could be compromised!)

29
posted on 06/09/2012 6:41:57 PM PDT
by Weirdad
(Don't put up with ANY voter fraud...)

Router access restriction is the easiest way just as some others have mentioned. You can block just her device from the internet for a time block you specify. You will have to password protect the router and make sure she can’t physical get to the router to force a hard reset. At first she wont know what’s happening and will think the internet is just down. Once she catches on you will have to keep an eye on the router to make sure your settings stay in place.

I want to find some software that will let me shut down internet access to my daughter's bedroom computer between eleven PM and eight AM, so she will get more sleep. Can anyone recommend software that will do this?

Does she own a "smartphone?" Is the computer a desktop or laptop? The only way I can think of is intercept the cable to her room from the main electrical box, and install a lockable box nearby where you can install a timer. She can have a battery-powered nightlight.

1. Get the computer out of the bedroom.
2. You can limit the time of use via configuring wireless router or unplug the router as others have said, but her lack of rule-following is becoming your headache. is that fair? so ...
3. Tell her the rules, expect her to follow them, and show her that violations will cause her to lose her computer and you dont want it to come to this:

Assuming there is a router, it would have to be in an enclosed, lockable area. Kids are smarter than you think. If they can get to it, they (or their friends) can circumvent the no router issue. Heck, they can make arrangements with a neighbor!

Pay a computer geek to write a program that will erase her hard drive if she accesses the computer during those hours. Attach the program to a photo of some cute puppies and send it to her email. Then tell her if she gets on the computer after 11, something bad will happen. If she disobeys you, she will learn a real life lesson - ALWAYS LISTEN TO DAD!

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